Joseph Marien Stadium, Art Deco football stadium in Forest, Belgium
Description
Joseph Marien Stadium is a sports venue in Forest with Art Deco architecture and protected heritage status. The structure displays fifteen symmetrical bays across its facade with relief sculptures depicting various early 20th-century sports, and currently holds about 5,100 spectators.
History
Architect Albert Callewaert completed the building in 1926 as a venue for football matches and national team tournaments. It originally accommodated about 25,000 spectators through 1929 before undergoing later modifications.
Culture
The Art Deco elements merge with craft details like stained glass windows and lounge spaces that reflect the character of the 1920s. These decorative features show how sports venues were once more than just playing fields—they were also gathering places with artistic expression.
Practical
The grounds are easy to explore on foot and offer a good overview of the entire structure from the outside. Access to the surroundings is straightforward, and the location remains visible throughout the year.
Did you know?
Artist Oscar De Clerck created seven detailed relief panels on the exterior walls depicting athletes in classical artistic tradition. These carved works reward closer inspection, showing how sporting activity was celebrated through refined sculptural craft.
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